A Brief Guide to Student Loans

Students apply for financing when they are preparing to attend college. They have access to different loans such as private or government-backed loans. Each of these options helps the individual pay for tuition, supplies, and housing. For each loan, the individual must provide documentation that shows their income for the last year, and the lender reviews their credit scores. Some loans may have stipulations and restrictions for how the funds are used. Reviewing all student loans shows the students their options and the benefits of each choice.

What Type of Students Do You Need?

The student should consider how much they need to pay for college when choosing for their education. If they need to pay for several years of college, the student may need a federal student loan, and they will need to start by applying for the loan. They can choose a private or government lender to access financial aid funds. If they want to use financial aid to get a loan, the student must complete a form through the federal website. If they want to learn more about private lenders who offer private and government loans, the applicant can visit King of Kash for details about different loans.

The Difference between Private and Government Loans

Private student loans are available through any lender, and the applicants can apply through any lender to receive the private loans. With the government loans, the applicant must complete forms through a government-based program. When applying for a private loan, the individual presents details about their income, and their credit scores are reviewed by the lender.

When applying for a government student loan, the individual must complete an application through the federal student aid website. The program requires a copy of the student’s federal tax return from the previous year. This helps the program director define if the applicant qualifies for a federal student loan and if they can access a grant to pay for college. The student can decide what federal loan program they use, and they can choose their lender.

Do Grants Affect Their Ability to Get a Grant?

No, students with low incomes are likely to qualify for a grant to cover a portion of their college tuition and expenses. If they receive a grant, it won’t present them with any issues when applying for a student loan. The great aspect of getting approved for the grant is the student isn’t required to pay the grant back to the government. They are required to pay back the loans they borrow to pay for their college education. The borrower can review all their lending options before they accept any private or government loan.

Restrictions for Student Loans

When receiving a student loan, the individual is restricted in how they use the funds. Typically, the lender sends the funds to the financial aid department of the college or university the individual is attending. The financial aid officers deduct the amount required to pay the individual’s tuition, and the student can use the remaining portion to purchase books in the college bookstore. Some lenders restrict how all funds are used, and the student must present them with a receipt for all purchases. Private lenders may not restrict how the individual uses their funds as long as the tuition is paid in full for the quarter or semester.

What are Stipend Checks?

After the financial aid department of the college deducts all college expenses, they issue a check for the remaining balance of the loan. The student receives a stipend check for the remaining balance of the loan. There aren’t any restrictions on how the student uses the stipend check. However, since it is the remaining balance of the current loan, it is added to the overall balance for the individual’s student loans, and they are required to pay back all the funds to their lender.

When Do Students Start Paying Off Their Loans?

With student loans, the borrower repays the loans after they graduate from college. The standard grace period is six months, and the individual must pay the payments according to the schedule set up by their lender. When taking out a private loan, the lender provides a payment schedule that shows how much the student pays each month. With federal student loans, the lender sets up preliminary payment plans, and the students have choices according to how long they pay off the loans.

How Much Do Students Pay Each Month?

How much the student pays each month for their student loans depends on how much they borrow. The average cost for a four-year college is $100,000. Most lenders divide the payment schedule for a 8 to 10 year repayment plan. However, the borrower can make payment arrangements with their lender.

What Happens If They Have Problems Repaying Their Loans?

With federal student loans, the borrower has several options if they are facing financial difficulties. They could get an economic hardship or forbearance if they cannot make their payments. With an economic hardship, the individual must present the lender with a current tax return or evidence of their income. For the forbearance, they are just requesting a hold on their payments for a specific duration until they are able to make the payments. Each of these options prevents the borrower from defaulting on their student loans and facing a lien on their tax refunds.

Student loans are available through private and government lenders. The loans provide funds to pay for college tuition and supplies such as textbooks. Some students use the funds to pay for housing at the dorms. Some lenders restrict how the money is used and require receipts, showing that the student used the loan amount for tuition and school-related items. With private loans, the individual doesn’t have assistance from the federal government, and lender laws related to consumer loans apply. With a federal student loan, the borrower has access to help when they cannot make their loan payments. Reviewing the differences between the loan programs helps students decide what loans are best for their financial needs.